Elaine Ambrose

Bestselling Author, Ventriloquist, & Humorist

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#Down Syndrome

“Melody” Flies to Family Advocates Program

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Melody’s Magical Flying Machine is an award-winning children’s book that features a girl with Down syndrome who uses a 3D printer to create a flying machine. Her positive attitude and creative storytelling abilities have delighted readers, educators, parents, book reviewers, and awards committees across the country. To accompany the book, two toys were designed by a 3D printer in Nampa, Idaho.

Fifty copies and 100 3D toys recently were donated to Family Advocates in Boise. The organization is dedicated to ending child abuse, Family Advocates addresses the full spectrum of need with comprehensive programs for both prevention and advocacy.

“We are excited to accept the donation of books and toys,” said Kathryn Seebold, executive director. “We organize a book drive for our Family Strengthening families a few times a year, and this would be a great addition to those events and to add to our children’s library.”

Three 2021 International Awards for Children’s Fiction

Publishers Weekly named the book an “Editor’s Pick for a Book of Outstanding Quality.” The review mentioned “vivid prose” and “imaginative tapestry that is Melody’s magical adventure.”

Kirkus Reviews reviewed the book as “a joyful, well-told story that celebrates the power of imagination.”

The book won international writing awards for children’s fiction from New York City Big Book Award, the Moonbeam Book Awards, and from the Independent Press Book Awards.

The book is illustrated by Idaho illustrator Caroline Zina. The paperback was published by Brown Books Kids. The book is a beginning chapter book for early readers and is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. The author is available to speak at read at area schools and civic organizations.

The Publisher’s Weekly review concluded: “This charming flight of fancy with an equally charming protagonist will delight readers who want to be both educated and entertained.”

 

 

(Illustrations have copyright protection)

“Melody” Wins Third International Writing Award

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The NYC Big Book Award® recognized Melody’s Magical Flying Machine by Elaine Ambrose as a Distinguished Favorite in the category of Children’s Fiction.

The competition is judged by experts from various aspects of the book industry, including publishers, writers, editors, book cover designers, and professional copywriters. According to officials from the New York City Big Book Award program, the elected award Winners and Distinguished Favorites are based on overall excellence. Worldwide submissions came from journalists, well-established authors, small and large press as well as first-time indie authors.  Entries were from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America.

Illustration of Melody

Melody’s Magical Flying Machine introduces a delightful 10-year-old girl who loves telling stories and dreaming of adventures. She also has Down syndrome. She meets a talking bird, and they create a flying machine using a 3D printer. To accompany the book, two toys were designed by a 3D printer in Nampa, Idaho. The book is a beginning chapter book for early readers.

Other Awards and Reviews

Earlier this year, the book also won two other international awards. The book won the 2021 Silver Medal for Children’s Literature from the Moonbeam Book Awards program. The book also was named Distinguished Favorite from the Independent Press Book Awards program. National reviews have been positive.

Publishers Weekly named the book an “Editor’s Pick for a Book of Outstanding Quality.” The review mentioned “vivid prose” and “imaginative tapestry that is Melody’s magical adventure.” The published review stated, “Melody’s ensuing adventure, while seemingly simple, is delightfully whimsical, yet still provides space for surprisingly accurate, age-appropriate scientific explanations of both Down syndrome and 3-D printers. Also included are frank depictions of Melody’s health and early challenges, including being born with a bad heart. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, Melody displays an abundance of self-confidence and character. Not only is she sure of her abilities, she’s popular, has an exhaustive list of talents such as hugging and humming, and has a wide range of interests including swordplay and cute clothes. (She takes pride in demonstrating that fun and adventure have no gender.) The review concluded: “This charming flight of fancy with an equally charming protagonist will delight readers who want to be both educated and entertained.”

Kirkus Reviews wrote, “Melody’s Magical Flying Machine is a joyful, well-told story that celebrates the power of imagination. Melody is an engaging narrator whose cheerful affection, knack for happiness, and zestful imagination express themselves in every line.”

Other reviews came from five children who read the original manuscript and offered critiques. One suggestion inspired the increased presence of a little brother named Jack who tells knock-knock jokes. The book is illustrated by Idaho illustrator Caroline Zina. The paperback was published by Brown Books Kids.

Melody and JuJu use a 3D printer to make a flying machine.

The book makes the perfect holiday and Christmas gift. There are no supply chain issues because the author’s books are written in Idaho and published in the USA. Books can be ordered through independent bookstores, online, and from the author. The paperback is $7.99.  The audiobook is $6.08.  The eBook is $4.99.  3D toys of the girl and the flying machine are $4 each, available from the author.

Elaine Ambrose is the bestselling author of ten books, a viral blogger, and webinar speaker. Her books have won 12 international writing awards in three genres: humor, memoir, and children’s books. She wrote one of the most-read essays in the history of The Huffington Post. Elaine, a third-generation Idahoan, lives and writes stories in Eagle.

Melody the Daydreamer

“Don’t forget me, Sweetie Pie.”
Three 2021 International Awards for Children’s Fiction

 

 

“Melody” is a Global Winner for Children’s Fiction

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Today the winners of the 2021 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards were announced. Idaho Author Elaine Ambrose won her 10th global writing award in six years. Her third children’s book, Melody’s Magical Flying Machine, won the Silver Medal for Juvenile Fiction – Early Reader/First Chapter Books. The delightful story features a 10-year-old girl who loves to tell stories and dreams of adventure. She also has Down syndrome. With the assistance of a talking bird, she uses a 3D printer to create a flying machine. Supporting characters include a little brother who tells knock-knock jokes. To accompany the book, two toys were designed and created by a 3D manufacturing company in Nampa.

According to Jenkins Group, sponsor and organizer of the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards program, the awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators and to celebrate children’s books and life-long reading. Medalists were chosen from nearly 1,500 total entries that came from children’s book authors, illustrators, and publishers from around the world.

Creating books that inspire children to read, to learn, and to dream is an extremely important task, and these awards were conceived to reward those efforts. Each year’s entries are judged by expert panels of youth educators, students, librarians, booksellers, and book reviewers of all ages. Award recipients receive gold, silver, and bronze medals with stickers depicting a mother and child reading and silhouetted by a full moon.

Melody’s Magical Flying Machine is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook read by the author. The chapter book was illustrated by Idaho illustrator Caroline Zina and published by Brown Books Kids. Earlier this year, the book won Distinguished Favorite from the Independent Press Award program.  Ambrose donates copies of the book and 3D toys to area charities. This is the second Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for Ambrose. The Magic Potato won the Silver Medal in 2018.

Six books by Ambrose were published in six years and have won 10 global writing awards in three genres: humor, memoir, and children’s books.

Three Award-Winning Children’s Books. 

  • Melody’s Magical Flying Machine 
    • 2021 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award – Silver Medal
    • 2021 Independent Press Distinguished Favorite Award Winner for Children’s Fiction
  • Gators & Taters – A Week of Bedtime Stories
    • 2017 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite Winner for Children’s Fiction
  • The Magic Potato – La Papa Mágica
    • 2018 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award – Silver Medal for Bilingual Children’s Fiction

Two Award-winning Humor Books! 

  • Midlife Happy Hour – Our Reward for Surviving Careers, Kids, and Chaos
    • 2016 INDIES Finalist for “Book of the Year for Humor”
    • 2016 Winner of Distinguished Favorite for Humor from Independent Press Awards
    • 2016 Winner of Gold Medal for Midlife from Independent Press Awards
  • Midlife Cabernet – Life, Love, & Laughter after 50
    • 2015 Winner of Independent Publishers Silver Medal for Humor
    • (Publishers Weekly reviewed as “Laugh-out-loud funny!”)

Two Awards for Memoir

  • Frozen Dinners – A Memoir of a Fractured Family
    • 2019 Winner of “Distinguished Favorite” for Memoir from Independent Press Award
    • 2018 Winner of New York City Big Book Award for Memoir

Author’s Shameless Marketing Plug: Don’t wait on the predicted backlog of holiday and Christmas supplies and gifts. Books can be ordered now through independent book stores, online, or from the author.

 

Idaho Author Donates Books and Toys to Special Olympics

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Books and Toys Donated to Special Olympics Idaho

Bestselling author Elaine Ambrose donated 50 signed copies of her new children’s book, Melody’s Magical Flying Machine, to Special Olympics Idaho. The donation included 100 toys made from a 3D printer and a check for $2,000. The toys and books will be given to children during the holidays.

In the book, a 10-year-old girl with Down syndrome uses a 3D printer to create a flying machine. Toy models of the girl and the flying machine were manufactured by a local 3D print company. The book was released in November, and proceeds were designated for Special Olympics. The COVID-19 pandemic has curtailed events for the organization, and the books and 3D toys will provide a reading and role-play activity for the participants and their families.

3D Toys and Book Illustration

Laurie La Follette, chief executive officer of Special Olympics Idaho, said the donation will be allocated to Special Olympics programs across the state. Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics serves more than 5 million persons with intellectual disabilities in 170 countries.

Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Idaho

The 88-page chapter book is written for ages seven through eleven and includes creative illustrations by Idaho artist Caroline Zina. The book was published by Brown Books Publishing and also is available in eBook format , and soon in audiobook read by the author. They are available online or can be ordered from local bookstores and libraries.

National professional reviews have been positive. Publishers Weekly awarded the book with a “lightning bolt” designation, indicating an “Editor’s Pick for a Book of Outstanding Quality.” The review to be published in the November issue of Publishers Weekly noted that: “Award-winning humorist, memoirist, and children’s author Ambrose adds another hit to her roster with a third children’s book.” Kirkus Reviews wrote the book “is a joyful, well-told story that celebrates the power of imagination.”

Readers within the Down syndrome community also gave positive reviews. Allison Zoccola has an adult brother with Down syndrome and sent these remarks: “WOW – your book is incredible. I can imagine reading this to my daughter with so much joy and pride in having the main character proudly represent such an underrepresented population of phenomenal people. The descriptions are peppered with realistic details and mannerisms and bring so much life to the story for me.”

Ambrose is the bestselling author of ten books, a viral blogger, and a certified workshop facilitator. She has won national writing awards for books in three genres: humor, memoir, and children’s books. As the founder and publisher of Mill Park Publishing, she has donated thousands of dollars to local charities in conjunction with new book releases. Recipients included the Idaho Writers Guild, The Cabin Writers in the Schools program, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and Dress for Success Boise Valley. A $2,000 donation to the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights enabled 200 area school students would see the documentary “He Named Me Malala,” and a writing challenge with cash awards was created for local students in conjunction with The Idaho Potato Drop. Other donated projects established the Idaho chapter of Cycling Without Age and endowed the Ambrose Storytelling Workshop at the University of Idaho.

Ambrose recently finished an online course for how to do a webinar on Zoom, and her first writing workshop appeared online in November. For her next project, Ambrose is writing another humor book for women over age 55 because they really need to laugh again.

Cycling Without Age – Idaho Chapter
200 School Children Received Tickets for “He named me Malala”
Student winner of Writing Contest for Idaho Potato Drop.
Certified Workshop Facilitator – Morter Institute for BioEnergetics

Open House and Virtual Book Premiere Party Nov. 14

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After organizing and hosting more than a dozen public premiere parties for new books, I’m going drive-by and virtual. That means no cake, no readings, no signings, no live music, and no mingling with guests, but we’ll be cautious against the coronavirus. Let’s plan on festive parties in person next year.

Melody’s Magical Flying Machine will be introduced on November 14 through online and Open House options. You can order books and 3-D toys to be mailed, or stop by The Club at SpurWing in Meridian from 2:00 – 4:00 pm to pick up autographed books and toys from me.

Details are on this Eventbrite link:

Melody’s Book Premiere Party.

At the Open House, I’ll have copies of 12 of my books for your holiday and Christmas shopping.

Proceeds from the November 14th event will benefit Special Olympics Idaho.

“Melody” Ready for Pre-Order in Paperback and eBook Formats

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Sample eBook page for “Melody’s Magical Flying Machine”

Melody’s Magical Flying Machine is almost ready to fly into the hands and hearts of adults and children eager for a positive, imaginative story. The book, eBook, and audiobook read by the author will be available in November, but orders are being accepted now.

Click here for the paperback edition available for pre-order.

Click here for the eBook edition for Kindle.

The story features a 10-year-old girl with Down syndrome who meets an enchanted talking bird. Using a 3-D printer, they create a magical flying machine pulled by two dragons so she can soar freely through the air, amaze her friends, and scare a group of bullies. Kirkus Reviews wrote “the book is a joyful, well-told story that celebrates the power of imagination.”

Kirkus Reviews wrote illustrations by Idaho artist Caroline Zina are “beautifully textured and shaded, with a magical quality that deftly matches the text.” The manuscript was professionally edited and published by Brown Books Publishing. The author employed the assistance of five children between the ages of eight and twelve to make suggestions and approve the final version. Talented people at DesignWorks Creative in Boise designed the interior layout for the eBook. With the release in November, the author will offer 3-D toys for purchase to accompany the book. The toys are being manufactured by Slant 3D in Nampa. The audiobook will be produced by Drew Allen Brown of Nampa. The cover art by Wayne Anderson is courtesy of Bridgeman Art Gallery in New York. Proceeds from the initial launch in November will be donated to Special Olympics Idaho.